Pregnancy | Planned Parenthood

Using Effective Birth Control

Anyone who uses any form of birth control or are interested in finding a good birth control needs to understand how they work and how they’re likely to work with your body in preventing pregnancy. Birth control methods are meant to stop the sperm from joining with the female’s egg and creating a pregnancy. This can be achieved in several ways including the use of:

- Birth control pills
Probably the most commonly used form of avoiding pregnancy because it is easy, convenient and flexible for most women to use. Taking a pill a day for 20-24 days out of the month is what many women prefer to do and not be bothered with other ways.

- Condoms
Condoms are good for preventing the flow of sperm to unite with the woman’s egg, but they are also great for protecting the person against certain sexually-transmitted diseases. Although they are not fail-proof for pregnancy, they do offer good protection.

- The Withdrawal Method
Very common but also very ineffective since the procedure is not guaranteed. The presence of sperm is in drops of semen that are excreted during sex and has the potential to unite with the egg, even before ejaculation. Pregnancy can and often does occur with this procedure, which is why it is not a suggested remedy for helping to avoid a pregnancy.

Some of these methods will work, and some of them will not. Choosing to use any of these forms of birth controls is a matter of preference. Many people will decide to test them or use several methods at once for more effectiveness and to ensure that there are no slip-ups. With whatever method is chosen, the main thing is to be sure that it is right for the person, their lifestyle and that they fully understand how each method works and the mechanics of each style.

Filed Under: Pregnancy, Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: birthcontrol, Condom, Pregnancy, Sexually transmitted disease

Are Condoms Safe Birth Control?

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Birth control methods of varying kinds are as probably as safe as the person who uses them makes them to be. There may be instances where the product or item will work and block a pregnancy being created or where it will fail and pregnancy occurs. Generally, if the instructions on using the product is followed, the desired results will happen, but this is not always a guarantee.

Using condoms as a method of birth control is one such method that is not guaranteed to work at all times either. Condoms break and tear, and depending on the quality of the material, can leak and produce undesirable results.

Generally speaking, condoms are an effective means of birth control if they are used correctly, but nothing is a guarantee. If a person wants to ensure that they work as they should, they should invest in the highest quality condoms available on the market. This may cost them a lot more than they’re prepared to spend, but if quality is important for them, they should consider it.

To further ensure that the condoms will be effective, they may also want to consider using another back up means for their birth control needs, like the use of The Pill, the Patch or a cream contraceptive that is also effective.

As with any forms of birth control methods, following the directions carefully and having a backup plan can help to ensure that there won’t be any accidents. Also, while using condoms, be sure to check for holes or leaks in the product before using them. Small tears can sometimes occur in the product during manufacturing or transport. It can also happen if the product is old and has been in its package for a while, but these instances are very unlikely. In any case however, it’s better to be aware than have any surprises occur.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: birthcontrol, Combined oral contraceptive pill, Condom, Pregnancy

Anti-Choice Wingnuts or Educated Haters: How Planned Parenthood is Being Reviewed

According to 2008 data, said Jill Stanek with the support of the infamous American Life League, Planned Parenthood offers little more to communities than abortion services. Though the American Life League, for their part, remarked that their findings are based solely on data about pregnant patients of Planned Parenthood, Jill Stanek has openly reported these findings in a way meant to imply that they are general. Her recent article, “Planned Parenthood: Abortion Virtually Only Service,” is not at all accurate or the writing of an educated person. From a bland title, to a grossly inaccurate conclusion, Stanek writes every word with colorful bias and pretense.

The graphs presented in her article are misleading, and meant to rally the support of Pro-Life readers and to make Pro-Choicers waver, too. As though her misleading information is not enough to add gray cloud coverage to anyone’s perspective, she peppers it with remarks like “You may need a magnifying glass to spot the adoption and prenatal care bars” (on her graphs, in contrast to the ‘abortion bar’).

Neither do Planned Parenthood centers pretend to be or want to be adoption centers. Though they do offer those services to community members who are distraught and seeking help and information, it is not a primary service that they provide. What concerns some readers, as is apparent from the comments on Stanek’s article, before they are periodically deleted, is that the “anti-choicers” don’t believe that women, or female patients rather, have a brain. Supposedly, the people who enter Planned Parenthood are being coerced into having abortions, where they would otherwise keep the child, or give it away to an agency. The reports of the American Life League and Jill Stanek on Planned Parenthood’s services fail to remark at all on the other findings from the document where they gathered their data from 2008, such as the rate of guests to Planned Parenthood who merely sought contraceptives (35%).

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Abortion, American Life League, Jill Stanek, Planned Parenthood, Pregnancy, Pro-life, Reproductive health, United States

Are you Ready for Pregnancy?

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Planned Parenthood is a health and pregnancy resource center that provides information to women, not only for themselves, but for their babies as well. Anyone who has questions about sexual health, reproductive health, or having a baby can rely on Planned Parenthood for assistance and guidance. One of the most important questions that women often find themselves asking is whether or not they are ready to have a baby. If you become pregnant unexpectedly or if you are thinking about becoming pregnant intentionally, you need to consider what it means to have a child.

There are many costs when you first have a child, including medical bills during the pregnancy. You’ll also find yourself spending money as you prepare your home for the arrival of the baby. You will need to have baby furniture, bedding, baby clothing, food and diapers ready for when your baby is born. You should be healthy when you are pregnant, and so it’s important to think about and improve your overall health if you are thinking about having a baby. Are you healthy enough to bring a new life into the world? Are you ready for everything that it takes to give birth to and raise a child? You also have to think about who will care for your baby if you can’t provide full-time care yourself. Perhaps you have family or close friends who will help you. Maybe you’ll need to look at daycare and in-home care options.

There are definitely a lot of things that you have to think about when it comes to having a baby. You will need to make some pretty powerful decisions if you get pregnant. You are entitled and empowered to make the decisions regarding your pregnancy, and be sure to weigh all the options.

Filed Under: Advice, Parenthood, Prenatal Care Tagged With: Planned Parenthood, Pregnancy, Reproductive health

Parenthood: Not like Getting a Free Ringtone

“Becoming a parent” is a term that slips easily from the tongue when discussing imminent parenthood. Yet it’s no accident that it’s becoming the norm to characterize parenting in this way: parenthood is not instantaneous, happening the moment you learn of the pregnancy, or the moment you first hold your baby in your arms. Parenthood is not like a free ringtone that you can download and voila — you have a new cell phone identity.

Parenthood is a process; a process that requires the understanding that yes, everyone can contribute sperm or eggs to the reproduction process and create a baby, but that in and of itself does not make you a parent. Even having your child does not necessarily make you a parent in any way other than the legal definition. Becoming a parent means trying your best, from the very beginning. It means learning — however quickly or slowly — that there is another person who is as important as you are.

Becoming a parent is both an amazing, loving, phenomenal experience; and a sometimes terrifying, confusing and depressing experience. And therein lies one of the first things you realize when becoming a parent: that such disparate feelings can arise. What else have you experienced in life in which this was the case? What other thing contained such wonderfulness, coupled with such anxiety? Parenthood defies easy categorization because it is utterly unique. The process of becoming a parent requires acting like a loving parent…sometimes it’s necessary to put the cart before the horse, so to speak. If you are not entirely certain how to go about being a parent, do those things which give your baby the feelings you know you would like: safety, being loved, protected and appreciated. By doing so you are becoming a parent; the parent you want to be and the parent your baby needs you to become.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Family, Parent, Pregnancy

Struggling with Infertility

More than 10% of Americans, both men and women, are unable to conceive children. It is a rapidly increasing problem that affects many, and can be an emotionally and physically painful process. Many people just don’t understand why they can’t create a child. Understanding what causes infertility is often the first step in overcoming this obstacle. Some people may practice behaviors that could contribute to infertility, and they are simply unaware. Some examples of this include a history of or current untreated sexually transmitted diseases, other health problems, previous injury, tobacco and/or alcohol use, and carrying excess weight. All of these factors cause a lot of stress on a body and can make it very difficult to conceive and carry a healthy child. Eliminating these behaviors or getting to a healthier weight may help a person conceive a baby. Educational resources at Planned Parenthood clinics are very useful for couples struggling to conceive. Counselors are on staff to help discuss the problems, as well as emotional struggles, involved with infertility. Both males and females can be infertile, and in some cases, both partners may be contributing to the difficulty in conception.

Once a couple has been counseled and has been trying unsuccessfully for a year, testing and treatments can be available depending on the reason for infertility. Planned Parenthood clinics can also offer other options for couples who have exhausted all options and are still unable to have their own children. Hundreds of babies are born every year who will be placed for adoption and would greatly benefit from a loving and stable home environment. Surrogacy is also a viable option, allowing another body to carry a couple’s child for them. Infertility is a common problem among couples, and while the process is extremely frustrating, Planned Parenthood clinics have plenty of resources to make it a little less overwhelming.

Filed Under: Prenatal Care, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Health, Infertility, Pregnancy, Sexually transmitted disease

How Does the Birth Control Pill Really Work?

Progestin also aids in preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The mucus in the cervix is thickened, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg that may have been released. Also, the lining of the womb is made thinner in order to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching.

The pill is intended to be taken for 21 days straight. The last remaining 7 pills are placebo pills, meaning that they don’t contain any hormones. A woman will have her period when she stops taking the pills that contain the hormones and begin taking the last 7 pills. If this is the first time a woman is taking the pill, then it’s important to use an additional form of protection, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy. After the first 7 days the pill will begin working alone to prevent pregnancy.

If a woman forgets to take the pill or accidentally skips a dose, then she is at risk for pregnancy. A backup form of birth control should be used, or she should avoid having sex for a little while. The pill is a very safe and effective form of birth control if taken everyday. Even missing 1 day can increase the chances of pregnancy.

There are positive side effects that most women are delighted with. The pill usually makes periods lighter, improves acne, reduces cramps, and also protects against certain forms of diseases and cancers.

Unfortunately, the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Continuing to use condoms while on the pill is a good idea because condoms protect against STD’s.

The birth control pill, commonly referred to as “The Pill”, is an oral contraceptive pill used by females as a birth control method. The combination pill contains man-made female hormones- estrogen and progestin, which are naturally produced in the ovaries. The hormones in the pill suppress the pituitary gland, which stops ovulation. Ovulation is the development and release of an egg in the ovary. If ovulation stops and there is no egg to be fertilized, then a woman cannot get pregnant.
Progestin also aids in preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The mucus in the cervix is thickened, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg that may have been released. Also, the lining of the womb is made thinner in order to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching.
The pill is intended to be taken for 21 days straight. The last remaining 7 pills are placebo pills, meaning that they don’t contain any hormones. A woman will have her period when she stops taking the pills that contain the hormones and begin taking the last 7 pills. If this is the first time a woman is taking the pill, then it’s important to use an additional form of protection, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy. After the first 7 days the pill will begin working alone to prevent pregnancy.
If a woman forgets to take the pill or accidentally skips a dose, then she is at risk for pregnancy. A backup form of birth control should be used, or she should avoid having sex for a little while. The pill is a very safe and effective form of birth control if taken everyday. Even missing 1 day can increase the chances of pregnancy.
There are positive side effects that most women are delighted with. The pill usually makes periods lighter, improves acne, reduces cramps, and also protects against certain forms of diseases and cancers.
Unfortunately, the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Continuing to use condoms while on the pill is a good idea because condoms protect against STD’s.

Filed Under: Pregnancy, Sexual Orientation, Sexual Problem Tagged With: Cervix, Health, Pregnancy

Options for Permanent Sterilization

Some individuals do not desire to ever have children, or are done with that stage in their life and want a way to remove the uncertainty without having to take a daily pill or use other forms of contraception. Permanent sterilization is the best way for this to occur. Planned Parenthood clinics offer sterilization procedures to both men and women, as well as counseling and lengthy discussion to make sure the patients know exactly what they are getting into and the permanence of this choice. A staff member will discuss the process with the patient, which for women involves blocking or sealing the fallopian tubes, and for men involves severing the vas deferens and then sealing the ends so that sperm cannot escape. Some men think that a vasectomy is reversible, but the process is painful and meant to be permanent. The procedure for both men and women is surgical, and is usually performed as outpatient so patients can return home the same day. They are usually told to take it easy for a few days, since the incision site will be sore. For men, the failure rate is about 1 in 2000, while for women the failure rate is closer to 1 in 300.

Some Planned Parenthood clinics do offer these procedures, but even the ones that don’t will still offer information and counseling. One thing that patients who choose this method of contraception must remember is that they will not be protected in any way against STDs. Unless both partners have been tested for disease and are completely monogamous, individuals should still use a condom for every sexual encounter to ensure complete protection and safety. Permanent sterilization is a way for both men and women who do not desire to ever conceive children to eliminate the worry of an unwanted pregnancy.

Filed Under: Parenthood, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care Tagged With: Pregnancy, Reproductive health, Sterilization